Careers and Work Related Learning
- Careers & WRL Coordinator
- Applyings to Courses & Apprenticeships
- Careers Advisor
- Work Experience
Ms Nicola Bennett coordinates the Careers and Work Related Learning Programme at Clyst Vale. You can contact her by emailing
Our Vision
At Clyst Vale Community College we aim to provide a careers programme to meet the needs of all students and help them to strive to fulfil their careers aspirations. We value the importance of careers education by ensuring students receive designated careers lessons in each school year through our C42/ CPS and Sixth form programme. Through the curriculum we build students essential skills (speaking, listening, problem solving, creativity, teamwork, leadership, staying positive and aiming high) which students will use throughout their school life and chosen career path. In addition, we provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills through project work of DLD’s, employer visits and work in curriculum areas. We aim to give the students the skills and aspirations to be successful in the world of work and are supportive of student’s career choices. All students are entitled to careers guidance which is impartial. There is a whole school approach to careers and students will gain information across the curriculum. All students at Clyst Vale receive outstanding careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) which supports them in making informed decisions about their future.
The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of eight guidelines that stipulate what makes the best careers provision in schools. Further information on the Gatsby Benchmarks can be found by clicking on the link below.
The Eight Benchmarks for Providing Good Career Guidance
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
Our programme is designed to fulfil the Gatsby benchmarks and provide students with timely advice to enable them to engage in their careers journey and make educated and appropriate decisions.
Benchmark 1-
We have an established careers programme at CVCC and students receive careers education through the C42 and tutorial programme and cross curricular teaching. Career education starts in year 7 and continues through until KS4 and into our post 16 provision. Students are encouraged to learn about the world of work and develop the skills in order to be successful in their future career path. Our programme allows students to explore different career options and consider the amazing that are available to them in the future.
Careers Programme Summary
Contacts- Mrs Nicola Bennett coordinates the Careers and Work Related Learning Programme at Clyst Vale and is the designated careers lead. You can contact her by emailing
Any specific work experience enquires should be emailed to
There are a number of different activities which students will be able to access as part of the Careers programme. Including-
- Careers lessons in C42
- Tutor time activities
- Careers guidance activities- online
- Careers guidance interviews
- Workshops for apprenticeship seekers
- Work related learning- (Including work experience)
There is a designated careers centre open to all students at CVCC in the Sixth Form block. The Careers area includes a careers library containing college and University prospectuses, many useful reference books (for example The Apprenticeship guide) and notice boards advertising open days, apprenticeship opportunities and other relevant information. Students can also use computers to access online advice in the careers centre.
Year 10, 11 and sixth form will all have careers information posted on the relevant team regarding opportunities available for work experience, careers talks and online information.
Mrs Bennett is available in the careers centre at lunchtimes for careers drop in and during registration times.
Those students studying at CVCC at post 16 can also speak to their tutors and the Head of Sixth Form for university application advice.
Individual Guidance Interviews
We have our own experienced, impartial careers advisor who is employed for 2 days per week and can support students on their careers journey. Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 students are offered a face-to-face careers guidance interview, to support them to make informed decisions about the future. This may include how to overcome barriers, recognising talents, making decisions about future courses and training opportunities and is very much tailored to the needs of the individual student. Our SEND students are supported by a careers advisor from CSW.
If you would like to request a career appointment please do so via your tutor or email
Your tutor will be notified of your appointment time, and you will also receive a personal email. The careers summary from the meeting will be shared with the student.
Careers Programme C42
Key Stage Three
Students follow a Careers programme of study in C42 and in tutor time. We provide students with the relevant information to assist with them taking their options at the end of year 9 and make them aware of the options and career routes open to them in the future.
Year 7 | What is a career? Researching different jobs both within and outside school. What skills and qualifications are needed for different jobs. |
Year 8 | The real game- learning about real life through careers. Recognising employability skills and how they are developed in school. Researching different careers and introduction to careers pilot. LMI- What jobs are is demand and how the job market changes over time? |
Year 9 | Options- Recognising student’s talents and making informed choices about options for KS4. Qualification pathways at KS4 and KS5 including apprenticeships. Possible career paths. Using careers pilot and creating an online pre 16 careers map. This programme supplements assemblies, the student careers fair and the options evening which are all designed to give students the skills and information to make the right choices moving into Ks4. |
Key Stage Four
The programme of study at KS4 is aimed at equipping students for the next stage of their lives and choices they will need to make. The programme of study taught though C42, DLD’s and supported in tutor time is aimed at signposting students towards useful resources as well as developing the skills needed for these next stages. A major part of our careers offer is year 10 work experience, where students gain valuable experience of the workplace.
Year 10 in C42 | Work experience programme. Introduction to the reasons for WEX. Letter and CV writing. Finding an appropriate placement. Post 16 and future career paths Vocational courses, A levels, T levels and apprenticeships- differences and advantages of each route. Higher level qualifications including University and Higher level apprenticeships. |
Careers DLD | Developing interview skills and completing a mock interview with a local employer. Assessment centre task. Use of careers pilot. |
Year 11 in tutor time | Destinations – tutors to work with students to signpost them. Head of sixth form to support students capable of level 3 courses. Careers appointments available for those students who need advice on types of courses and apprenticeship group. Mrs Bennett to work with the students who are at Level 2 and need support applying to college. |
Parental Advice
It is important that parents are able to help guide their child through their decision making processes at various stages throughout their time at CVCC. The following websites are sources of information which will be useful in navigating the ever changing world of careers-
Parental careers guides – Success at schools have made some excellent careers guides which are free to download, please use the link below to register and download.
Get Your Downloadable Parents’ Careers Guides (mailchi.mp)
General advice sites-
Career Pilot
Students use Career Pilot form year 8 and the Parent Zone will give you specific advice about how to guide your child at different times- choices at 14, 16 and 18 as well as up to date information on different career routes.
http://parentzone.careerpilot.org.uk/parent
Barclays lifeskills – has a specific parent’s section which can give you advice of how to prepare your child for the world of work.
Families | Barclays LifeSkills
Apprenticeship advice for parents-
The government have produced a very useful guide to apprenticeships and the process of application.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-parents-guide-to-apprenticeships
If you would like more detailed information please see the ‘Amazing Apprenticeships’ parents’ pack, downloadable from the following link:
Ammaarah Full guide_Parents & Carers Hints & Tips (amazingapprenticeships.com)
Each month amazing apprenticeships produce a parents and carers pack with current information.
Apprenticeship resources for schools, teachers, parents (amazingapprenticeships.com)
Podcast series for parents to help them to support their child with careers advice and guidance.
The Parent Perspective Podcast – Amazing Apprenticeships
Get in go far
This site gives you an insight into apprenticeships and gives you real life stories about young people who are enjoying the benefits. The parental advice section is a great starting point to develop your understanding.
https://www.getingofar.gov.uk/
Information about Financial Support in Post 16 Education
Your choices at Post 16 may impact on what level of financial support you and your family is entitled to. For more information, see the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) website:
(What am I) Entitled To : this website allows you to input your details, and then calculates what support you are entitled to.
16-19 Education: Financial Support : a document that sets out some of the financial support available to 16-19 year olds in further education.
T Levels- This guide provides parents with information about the new exciting opportunities provided by T Levels which are available at local colleges.
T-levels Parents’ Guide | A new post-16 alternative to A-levels (tlevelinfo.org.uk)
Useful Websites for Post 16 Students Looking at Further Education
This is a Russell Group guide to making informed choices about post-16 Education. It is packed with useful information, and the 5 Point Plan for making A Level choices is a good tool for clarifying your thoughts.
UCAS
Has all the information that you would need to consider if you were applying to university and undergraduate and postgraduate options. This site also gives you advice on finance and student support.
Not going to University
This is a site devoted to those students who do not want to go onto university and gives advice about alternatives such as gaining work experience, completing a gap year, studying at college and apprenticeships.
https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
Subject Specific Links – Options
Art and Design
Options! – Why Choose Art & Design – What’s the Point? – YouTube
Beliefs and Values
My Future. My Career. My RE. – TrueTube
Drama
Options! Why Choose Drama? What’s the Point? – YouTube
Drama – English, Why Bother? – YouTube
Dance
Options! Why Choose Dance? – What’s the Point? – YouTube
English
Drama – English, Why Bother? – YouTube
French and Spanish
Options! – Why Choose MFL? – What’s the Point? – YouTube
History
Why Bother With History? – YouTube
Geography
Music
Options! – Why Choose Music?- What’s the Point? – YouTube
RE
My Future. My Career. My RE. – TrueTube
Science
Why a career in science is for me | The Royal Society – YouTube
Job of the week videos
Job Of The Week | MYPATH Careers Resources (mypathcareersuk.com)
Employability Skills Videos
Employability Skills, What Do You Mean? | MYPATH Careers Resources (mypathcareersuk.com)
Work Experience
At Clyst Vale we have a long history of successful work experience placements for students; the school places emphasis on enabling students to gain real life experience and valuable employability skills. We are lucky to have strong links to local businesses which are very supportive of our students, and we are grateful for the time and energy that they put into hosting CVCC students.
The opportunity to attend work experience in both year 10 and in year 12 will give students at least two different perspectives of employment and the world of work.
If you are able to offer a placement for one of our students, then please do contact – we will then be able to match you with an appropriate student.
Employer/Training Provider Information
We are keen to develop and grow our employer engagement opportunities and build on the success of our work experience. This links to both Gatsby benchmark 5- employer encounters and Gatsby benchmark 6- experience of the workplace. We provide many opportunities for businesses to interact with students: Career Talks, Employability Skills workshops in Deep Learning Days, Mock interviews, presentations, work experience, small group work etc.
We are very keen to engage with businesses and employers to help us inform and educate students about the local and national employment opportunities. We are very keen to hear from any past students and build our alumni network so students can hear about and aspire to be like our successful past students
If you would like to get involved, or wish to advertise any apprenticeship vacancies through the school, then please contact
Policy Statement – Managing Access
This policy statement for managing access of providers to pupils complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
This means that all pupils in years 7-11 are entitled:
· to find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;
· to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options events, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;
· to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.
Should you wish to submit a provider access request please contact the careers lead- who will be able to help you with your requests.
We hold a number of events throughout the year as part of the career programme or assembly programme which would provide opportunities to access students. Students and carers are also provided with information about local careers opportunities.
Click the below link to watch a video about preparing for work experience
How to Prepare for Work Experience
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance at CVCC
Information about Apprenticeships 2021 – National Apprenticeship Show and SW Virtual Apprenticeship Expo
Apprenticeship Information- Students & Parent Feb 2021
The link below takes you to Mrs Bennett’s letter about Next Steps, sent to Y11 students and parents in January 2021:
Next Steps letter from N Bennett January 2021
Pages 2 and 3 are full of useful information and links about:
- Careers Guidance
- Applications
- Apprenticeships
Please find below a link to a document containing some ‘Frequently Asked Questions’, about applying to study at Exeter College:
Work Experience
At Clyst Vale we have a long history of successful work experience placements for students; the school places emphasis on enabling students to gain real life experience and valuable employability skills. We are lucky to have strong links to local businesses which are very supportive of our students, and we are grateful for the time and energy that they put into hosting CVCC students.
The opportunity to attend work experience in both year 10 and in year 12 will give students at least two different perspectives of employment and the world of work.
If you are able to offer a placement for one of our students, then please do contact – we will then be able to match you with an appropriate student.
Employer/Training Provider Information
We are keen to develop and grow our employer engagement opportunities and build on the success of our work experience. This links to both Gatsby benchmark 5- employer encounters and Gatsby benchmark 6- experience of the workplace. We provide many opportunities for businesses to interact with students: Career Talks, Employability Skills workshops in Deep Learning Days, Mock interviews, presentations, work experience, small group work etc.
We are very keen to engage with businesses and employers to help us inform and educate students about the local and national employment opportunities. We are very keen to hear from any past students and build our alumni network so students can hear about and aspire to be like our successful past students
If you would like to get involved, or wish to advertise any apprenticeship vacancies through the school, then please contact
Policy Statement – Managing Access
This policy statement for managing access of providers to pupils complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
This means that all pupils in years 7-11 are entitled:
· to find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;
· to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options events, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;
· to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.
Should you wish to submit a provider access request please contact the careers lead- who will be able to help you with your requests.
We hold a number of events throughout the year as part of the career programme or assembly programme which would provide opportunities to access students. Students and carers are also provided with information about local careers opportunities.
Click the below link to watch a video about preparing for work experience
How to Prepare for Work Experience
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance at CVCC
Since 2015 young people are required to remain in some form of education or training up to the age of 18. Our Independent Careers Adviser is in school two days a week. They will be working with students in Years 10, 11, 12, and 13 to help them look at all their options, including courses at 6th form or college, apprenticeships, and degree courses.
To request an appointment students can either ask their tutors, email , or telephone 01392 461407 extension 245.
Work Experience
At Clyst Vale we have a long history of successful work experience placements for students; the school places emphasis on enabling students to gain real life experience and valuable employability skills. We are lucky to have strong links to local businesses which are very supportive of our students, and we are grateful for the time and energy that they put into hosting CVCC students.
The opportunity to attend work experience in both year 10 and in year 12 will give students at least two different perspectives of employment and the world of work.
If you are able to offer a placement for one of our students, then please do contact – we will then be able to match you with an appropriate student.
Employer/Training Provider Information
We are keen to develop and grow our employer engagement opportunities and build on the success of our work experience. This links to both Gatsby benchmark 5- employer encounters and Gatsby benchmark 6- experience of the workplace. We provide many opportunities for businesses to interact with students: Career Talks, Employability Skills workshops in Deep Learning Days, Mock interviews, presentations, work experience, small group work etc.
We are very keen to engage with businesses and employers to help us inform and educate students about the local and national employment opportunities. We are very keen to hear from any past students and build our alumni network so students can hear about and aspire to be like our successful past students
If you would like to get involved, or wish to advertise any apprenticeship vacancies through the school, then please contact
Policy Statement – Managing Access
This policy statement for managing access of providers to pupils complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
This means that all pupils in years 7-11 are entitled:
· to find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;
· to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options events, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;
· to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.
Should you wish to submit a provider access request please contact the careers lead- who will be able to help you with your requests.
We hold a number of events throughout the year as part of the career programme or assembly programme which would provide opportunities to access students. Students and carers are also provided with information about local careers opportunities.
Click the below link to watch a video about preparing for work experience
How to Prepare for Work Experience
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance at CVCC
Click here to download the 2021 Work Experience letter to parents & carers
Click here to download the 2021 application form and checklist
Work Experience
At Clyst Vale we have a long history of successful work experience placements for students; the school places emphasis on enabling students to gain real life experience and valuable employability skills. We are lucky to have strong links to local businesses which are very supportive of our students, and we are grateful for the time and energy that they put into hosting CVCC students.
The opportunity to attend work experience in both year 10 and in year 12 will give students at least two different perspectives of employment and the world of work.
If you are able to offer a placement for one of our students, then please do contact – we will then be able to match you with an appropriate student.
Employer/Training Provider Information
We are keen to develop and grow our employer engagement opportunities and build on the success of our work experience. This links to both Gatsby benchmark 5- employer encounters and Gatsby benchmark 6- experience of the workplace. We provide many opportunities for businesses to interact with students: Career Talks, Employability Skills workshops in Deep Learning Days, Mock interviews, presentations, work experience, small group work etc.
We are very keen to engage with businesses and employers to help us inform and educate students about the local and national employment opportunities. We are very keen to hear from any past students and build our alumni network so students can hear about and aspire to be like our successful past students
If you would like to get involved, or wish to advertise any apprenticeship vacancies through the school, then please contact
Policy Statement – Managing Access
This policy statement for managing access of providers to pupils complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
This means that all pupils in years 7-11 are entitled:
· to find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;
· to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options events, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;
· to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.
Should you wish to submit a provider access request please contact the careers lead- who will be able to help you with your requests.
We hold a number of events throughout the year as part of the career programme or assembly programme which would provide opportunities to access students. Students and carers are also provided with information about local careers opportunities.
Click the below link to watch a video about preparing for work experience
How to Prepare for Work Experience
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance at CVCC